Combination mop and broom

ABSTRACT

An all-in-one multi-functional implement that mops a floor in any direction without rotating the implement, is wrung outable, sweeps the floor in any direction without rotating the implement, and scrubs the floor from any direction without rotating the implement. The all-in-one multi-functional implement includes a handle, a mop head, and a broom and scrubber head. The handle has a longitudinal axis. The mop head is affixed to the handle and mops the floor in the any direction without rotating the handle about the longitudinal axis thereof. The broom and scrubber head is affixed to the handle, sweeps the floor in the any direction without rotating the handle about the longitudinal axis thereof, and scrubs the floor from the any direction without rotating the handle about the longitudinal axis thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mop, and more particularly, a combination mop and broom.

Description of the Prior Art

Numerous innovations for combination mops and scrubbers have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 399,223, Published/Issued on Mar. 5, 1889, to Varney teaches a combined mob and brush holder including a plate having depending flanges at its edges, binding-screws mounted in the flanges to secure the brush, and a clamping bar mounted on the upper side of the plate to secure the mop.

A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 732,743, Published/Issued on Jul. 7, 1903, to Held teaches a utensil including a fixed clamping jaw having attaching-slots extending transversely there through, attaching apparatus located above the jaw, a brush-attaching plate having curved lugs on one edge thereof adapted to be inserted through the attaching-slots in the clamping-jaw and engage therewith and provided with an upwardly-projecting resilient member having depressions therein adapted to engage with and be disengaged from the attaching apparatus by reason of its resiliency, and a scrub-brush fast to the brush-attaching plate.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 949,664, Published/Issued on Feb. 15, 1910, to Schneider teaches a scrubbing device including a handle, a brush carried thereby, and an endless mop cloth looped about the brush.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 981,756, Published/Issued on Jan. 17, 1911, to Glance teaches a holder including a supporting plate carrying a handle, a scrubbing brush attaching mechanism to detachably secure a brush to the plate, a mop holding frame pivotally mounted on the handle and adapted to hold a mop rag in position on the plate, a lever to swing the frame into and out of operative positions, a spring clip on the handle to engage the lever and secure the mop holding frame in inoperative position, and apparatus for clamping the mop against the plate.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,653,337, Published/Issued on Sep. 29, 1953, to Bathurst teaches a combination mop and scrubber including a frame having a planar central section and end members extending at right angles to the central section. The end sections have slots formed therein at right angles to the central section. Also included is a drum having a porous and resiliently compressible covering disposed between the end sections of the frame, a bail the respective arms of which extend inwardly through the slot and rotatably engage the ends of the drum, whereby the drum may be rotated about the axis and moved transversely to its axis, a lever engaging the bail and cooperating with the frame whereby the drum may be selectively positioned and secured out of contact with the central frame section in which position the drum is freely rotatable or in compressing contact with the central frame section in which position the drum is secured against rotation, and a planar compression member having pivot members at the opposite ends thereof carried for pivotal movement in slots formed therefor in the end frame sections parallel to the central frame section, whereby when the pivot members are in one end of the slots the compression member is parallel with and adjacent the central frame section, and when the pivot members are in the other end of the slots the compression member may be pivoted to engage the side of the drum opposite the central frame section.

A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,694,824, Published/Issued on Nov. 23, 1954, to Kalinowski teaches a combination mop, scrubbing brush, and wringer, which includes a cleaning member including an oblong wooden head having an absorbent element secured to the bottom face and brush bristles extending from the front face thereof, a handle mounted in the top of the head contiguous the rear edge thereof and projecting at an angle upwardly and rearwardly relative to the cleaning member, a hinge bolt element having two spaced parallel journals at each end providing two parts of aligned journals, and a pair of clips. Each clip includes a body lying against the rear edge of the head and provided with a semi-circular bearing. The body has a lip projecting over the top face of the head. Further included is a single fastening device to removably attach each of the clips to the back of the head. The bearing portions of the clips have one pair of the aligned hinge journals mounted therein. Still further included is a compressing plate, apparatus thereon engages the other pair of the aligned hinge journals, a socket along the inner longitudinal edge of the compressing plate midway between the ends thereof wherein the compressing plate also has notches adjacent the ends of the socket to provide free and bendable corners opposed to, and spaced from, the socket ends. The compressing plate further provided with integral tongues adjacent the outer free swinging edge thereof. Yet further included is a hand-hold fashioned from relatively stiff wire having some inherent resiliency and including a pair of spaced strands joined at their outer ends to provide a grip with off-set knees intermediate the ends for clamping engagement with the handle, divergent strands inwardly of the knee and extending to the compression plate, reach portions extending from the divergent strands across the compressing plate and provided with inturned toes projecting into the ends of the socket. The aforementioned tongues embrace the reach portions of the hand-hold and the bendable corners engage the reach portions at the toes. The corners are bent after the toes are entered in the socket.

A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,967,317, Published/Issued on Jan. 10, 1961, to Richards teaches a mop including a supporting element having a rear transverse edge to serve as a scrapper, handle apparatus pivotally secured to the supporting element forwardly of the rear transverse edge, resilient apparatus connected with the supporting element and with the handle apparatus and movable relative to the handle apparatus to facilitate angular adjustment of the handle apparatus with respect to the supporting element, a pair of head plate sections hingedly secured to the supporting apparatus, resilient apparatus connected with the head plate sections to maintain them normally separated, a compressible scrubbing element secured to the lower sides of the head plate sections and foldable therebetween when the head plate sections are swung together for extracting water from the scrubbing element, an extractor handle, apparatus pivotally securing the extractor handle to the supporting element rearwardly of the transverse centers of the head plate sections and forwardly of the rear transverse edge, booster shoulders on the extractor handle engageable with the tops of the head plate sections forwardly of the last-named apparatus, and rollers carried by the extractor handle above the booster shoulders and engageable with the tops of the head plate sections subsequent to the engagement of the booster shoulders therewith.

AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,012, Published/Issued on Aug. 9, 1994, to Newville teaches a flow-through washing and scrubbing brush handle for interconnection at one end to a source of pressurized water, such as, a garden hose and connectable at the other end to a flow-through type scrub brush or the like. The device may include structure for varying water flow there through for delivery into the scrub brush and further includes a telescoping structure that releasably secures a selected overall length between its sliding inner and outer tubes. Unique sealing arrangements also prevent water leakage anywhere along the device, including from between inner and outer tubes.

A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,451, Published/Issued on Dec. 15, 1998, to Barnett teaches a headband for a mop head assembly that includes four scrubbing surfaces that allow a user to scrub a surface with the headband. The scrubbing surfaces include a plurality of interstices and scrubbing sections that are formed by coating a knitted polyester base material with an adhesive and abrasive coating. The coating provides strength, durability, and abrasiveness to the base material. In addition to the ability to scrub, the headband allows the yarn beneath the headband to dry thus preventing mildew.

A TENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,464, Published/Issued on Oct. 24, 2006, to Williams, et al. teaches a method of providing a mop with a surface scrubbing capability, which includes providing a surface scrubbing attachment device, and attaching the device to the mop for scrubbing presentation to the surface.

AN ELEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 2016/0256029, Published/Issued on Sep. 8, 2016, to Weaver, et al. teaches a floor mop with a handle and a mop head having a base, a handle connector, and a scrubbing mechanism. The base may include a platen and cleaning pad and is connected to the mop handle through the handle connector. The base may also include an opening for holding the handle connector and scrubbing mechanism. The handle connector houses the components of the scrubbing mechanism, including a scrubbing pad, an axle, a slide and a spring. The scrubbing pad is located on the lower surface of the handle connector. The axle is connected to the base of the mop head and to the slide so that when sufficient downward force is applied to compress the spring, the scrubbing pad moves downward relative to the lower surface of the handle connector so that the scrubbing pad engages the cleaning surface.

It is apparent now that numerous innovations for combination mops and scrubbers have been provided in the prior art that adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a combination mop and broom that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a combination mop and broom that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a combination mop and broom that is simple to use.

BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide an all-in-one multi-functional implement that mops a floor in any direction without rotating the implement, is wrung outable, sweeps the floor in any direction without rotating the implement, and scrubs the floor from any direction without rotating the implement. The all-in-one multi-functional implement includes a handle, a mop head, and a broom and scrubber head. The handle has a longitudinal axis. The mop head is affixed to the handle and mops the floor in the any direction without rotating the handle about the longitudinal axis thereof. The broom and scrubber head is affixed to the handle, sweeps the floor in the any direction without rotating the handle about the longitudinal axis thereof and scrubs the floor from the any direction without rotating the handle about the longitudinal axis thereof.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view illustrating the invention ready for use as a mop;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic elevational view illustrating the invention ready for use as a broom; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic elevational view illustrating fluid in the mop component being wrung into bucket shown in phantom.

A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS Introductory

-   10 all-in-one multi-functional implement of embodiments of present     invention for mopping floor 12 in any direction without rotating     implement 10, for wringing out mopping, for sweeping floor 12 in any     direction without rotating implement 10, and for scrubbing floor 12     from any direction without rotating implement 10 -   12 floor

Overall Configuration of All-in-One Multi-Functional Implement 10

-   14 handle -   15 longitudinal axis of handle 14 -   16 mop head for mopping floor 12 in any direction without rotating     handle 14 about longitudinal axis 15 thereof -   18 broom and scrubber head for sweeping floor 12 in any direction     without rotating handle 15 about longitudinal axis 15 thereof and     for scrubbing floor 12 from any direction without rotating handle 14     about longitudinal axis 15 of handle 14 -   20 wringer assembly for wringing out mopping

Specific Configuration of Handle 14

-   22 proximal end of handle 14 -   24 distal end of handle 14

Wringer Assembly 20

-   26 spring-loaded button of wringer assembly 20 -   28 collar of wringer assembly 20 -   30 through bore of collar 28 of wringer assembly 20

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Introductory

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, the all-in-one multi-functional implement of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at 10 for mopping a floor 12 in any direction without rotating the implement 10, for wringing out the mopping, for sweeping the floor 12 in any direction without rotating the implement 10, and for scrubbing the floor 12 in any direction without rotating the implement 10.

The Overall Configuration of the All-in-One Multi-Functional Implement 10

The overall configuration of the all-in-one multi-functional implement 10 can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The all-in-one multi-functional implement 10 comprises a handle 14, a mop head 16, and a broom and scrubber head 18. The mop head 16 is affixed to the handle 14 and is for mopping the floor 12 in any direction without rotating the handle 14 about the longitudinal axis 15 thereof. The broom and scrubber head 18 is affixed to the handle 14 and is for sweeping the floor 12 in any direction without rotating the handle 14 about the longitudinal axis 15 thereof and for scrubbing the floor 12 in any direction without rotating the handle 14 about the longitudinal axis 15 thereof.

The all-in-one multi-functional implement 10 further comprises a wringer assembly 20. The wringer assembly 20 selectively exposes the broom and scrubber head 18 and is for wringing out the mopping.

The Specific Configuration of the Handle 14

The specific configuration of the handle 14 can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The handle 14 is slender, elongated, and has a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24.

The Specific Configuration of the Broom and Scrubber Head 18

The specific configuration of the broom and scrubber head 18 can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The broom and scrubber head 18 is fixedly attached to the distal end 24 of the handle 14 in a circular configuration for sweeping the floor 12 in the any direction without rotating the handle 14 about the longitudinal axis 15 thereof and for scrubbing the floor 12 in any direction without rotating the handle 14 about the longitudinal axis 15 thereof.

The Specific Configuration of the Mop Head 16

The specific configuration of the mop head 16 can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The mop head 16 is movably mounted up and down the handle 14, and thereby has an up position and a down position, respectively.

When the mop head 16 is in the down position thereof, only the mop head 16 touches the floor 12, and when the mop head 16 is in the up position thereof, only the broom and scrubber head 18 touch the floor.

The mop head 16 is disposed completely outside and around the broom and scrubber head for mopping the floor 12 in the any direction without rotating the handle 14 about the longitudinal axis 15 thereof.

When the mop 16 is in the down position, the broom and scrubber head 18 is hidden from view, and when the mop 16 is in the up position, the broom and scrubber head 18 is visible for use.

The Wringer Assembly 20

The wringer assembly 20 can best be seen in FIGS. 1-3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The wringer assembly 20 comprises a spring-loaded button 26. The spring-loaded button 26 of the wringer assembly 20 is operationally disposed on the handle 14, approximately midway therealong.

The wringer assembly 20 further comprises a collar 28. The collar 28 of the wringer assembly 20 is fixedly attached to the mop head 16, and is free to move up and down the handle 14.

The collar 28 of the wringer assembly 20 has a through bore 30. The through bore 30 of the collar 28 of the wringer assembly 20 extends radially therethrough, and selectively receives the spring-loaded button 26 of the wringer assembly 20.

When the broom and scrubber head 18 is to be used, the collar 28 of the wringer assembly 20 is pulled up the handle 14 until the through bore 30 of the collar 28 of the wringer assembly 20 receives the spring-loaded button 26 of the wringer assembly 20, locking the collar 28 of the wringer assembly 20 in place.

When the mop head 16 is for being wrung out, the spring-loaded button 26 of the wringer assembly 20 is pressed in, releasing the spring-loaded button 26 of the wringer assembly 20 from the through bore 30 of the collar 28 of the wringer assembly 20, unlocking the collar 28 of the wringer assembly 20, to thereby allow the collar 28 of the wringer assembly 20 to be rotated relative to the handle 14 taking the mop head 16 with it and wringing out the mop head 16.

Impressions

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a combination mop and broom, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An all-in-one multi-functional implement for mopping a floor in any direction without rotating said implement, for wringing out the mopping, for sweeping the floor in any direction without rotating said implement, and for scrubbing the floor in any direction without rotating said implement, said all-in-one multi-functional implement comprising: a) a handle; b) a mop head; and c) a broom and scrubber head; wherein said handle has a longitudinal axis; wherein said mop head is affixed to said handle; wherein said mop head is for mopping the floor in any direction without rotating said handle about said longitudinal axis thereof; wherein said broom and scrubber head is affixed to said handle; wherein said broom and scrubber head is for sweeping the floor in any direction without rotating said handle about said longitudinal axis thereof; and wherein said broom and scrubber head is for scrubbing the floor in any direction without rotating said handle about said longitudinal axis thereof.
 2. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 1, further comprising a wringer assembly; and wherein said wringer assembly is for wringing out the mopping.
 3. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 2, wherein said wringer assembly selectively exposes said broom and scrubber head.
 4. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 1, wherein said handle has a longitudinal axis.
 5. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 1, wherein said handle is slender.
 6. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 1, wherein said handle is elongated.
 7. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 1, wherein said handle has a proximal end.
 8. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 1, wherein said handle has a distal end.
 9. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 8, wherein said broom and scrubber head is fixedly attached to said distal end of said handle.
 10. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 1, wherein said mop head is movably mounted up and down said handle, and thereby having an up position and a down position, respectively.
 11. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 1, wherein said mop head is concentric with said handle.
 12. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 1, wherein said mop head is concentric with said broom and scrubber head.
 13. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 10, wherein said mop head is disposed completely outside and around said broom and scrubber head so when said mop head is in said down position thereof only said mop head touches said floor, and when said mop head is in said up position thereof only said broom and scrubber head touch the floor.
 14. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 10, wherein when said mop head is in said down position thereof, said broom and scrubber head is hidden from view, and when said mop head is in said up position thereof, said broom and scrubber head is visible for use.
 15. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 2, wherein said wringer assembly comprises a spring-loaded button.
 16. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 15, wherein said spring-loaded button of said wringer assembly is operationally disposed on said handle.
 17. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 15, wherein said spring-loaded button of said wringer assembly is operationally disposed on said handle, approximately midway therealong.
 18. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 15, wherein said wringer assembly comprises a collar.
 19. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 18, wherein said collar of said wringer assembly is fixedly attached to said mop head.
 20. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 18, wherein said collar of said wringer assembly is free to move up and down said handle.
 21. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 18, wherein said collar of said wringer assembly has a through bore.
 22. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 21, wherein said through bore of said collar of said wringer assembly extends radially therethrough.
 23. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 21, wherein said through bore of said collar of said wringer assembly selectively receives said spring-loaded button of said wringer assembly.
 24. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 21, when said broom and scrubber head is to be used, said collar of said wringer assembly is pulled up said handle until said through bore of said collar of said wringer assembly receives said spring-loaded button of said wringer assembly, locking in place.
 25. The all-in-one multi-functional implement of claim 21, when said mop head is for wringing out, said spring-loaded button of said wringer assembly is pressed in, releasing said spring-loaded button of said wringer assembly from said through bore of said collar of said wringer assembly, unlocking said collar of said wringer assembly, to thereby allow said collar of said wringer assembly to be rotated relative to said handle taking said mop head with said collar of said wringer assembly and wringing said mop head out. 